U.S. patent application number 17/350378 was filed with the patent office on 2021-10-07 for deployment device of a camera for a motor-propelled vehicle.
This patent application is currently assigned to U-Shin Italia S.p.A.. The applicant listed for this patent is U-Shin Italia S.p.A.. Invention is credited to Dario FIMOGNARI.
Application Number | 20210309162 17/350378 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005709252 |
Filed Date | 2021-10-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20210309162 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
FIMOGNARI; Dario |
October 7, 2021 |
DEPLOYMENT DEVICE OF A CAMERA FOR A MOTOR-PROPELLED VEHICLE
Abstract
A device for a motor-propelled vehicle includes a camera mounted
on a support. The camera is transposable from a retracted position
to a capture position through a cover by an actuator. The cover is
able to be displaced in both directions between a closed position
and an open position. Simultaneously with the displacement of the
camera, the cover is able to be split into two portions by a
longitudinal displacement along an axis, perpendicular to the axis,
of the portions. The camera is able to be displaced along an axis
transverse with respect to the displacement of the portions.
Inventors: |
FIMOGNARI; Dario; (Pianezza,
IT) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
U-Shin Italia S.p.A. |
Pianezza |
|
IT |
|
|
Assignee: |
U-Shin Italia S.p.A.
Pianezza
IT
|
Family ID: |
1000005709252 |
Appl. No.: |
17/350378 |
Filed: |
June 17, 2021 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
PCT/EP2019/083350 |
Dec 2, 2019 |
|
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17350378 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60R 2011/004 20130101;
B60R 2011/005 20130101; H04N 5/2252 20130101; B60R 2011/0092
20130101; B60R 11/04 20130101; B60R 2011/0094 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B60R 11/04 20060101
B60R011/04; H04N 5/225 20060101 H04N005/225 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 18, 2018 |
EP |
18213636.6 |
Claims
1. A device for a motor-propelled vehicle, the device comprising: a
camera mounted on a support, said camera being transposable from a
retracted position to a capture position through a cover by an
actuator, wherein said cover is configured to be displaced between
a closed position and an open position, simultaneously with a
displacement of said camera, said cover configured to be split into
two portions by a longitudinal displacement along a first axis,
perpendicular to a second axis, of said two portions, said camera
configured to be displaced along said second axis transverse with
respect to the longitudinal displacement of said two portions.
2. The device according to claim 1, wherein a transposition from
the retracted position to the capture position of said camera is
performed by levers.
3. The device according to claim 2, wherein the longitudinal
displacement of said cover from the closed position to the open
position is performed by said levers.
4. The device according to claim 3, wherein said levers are
connected to said cover by fastening means.
5. The device according to claim 2, wherein said levers are
connected to each other via said support by a fastening means.
6. The device claim 5, wherein said fastening means are configured
to be displaced according to a determined track.
7. The device according to claim 6, wherein said determined track
is L-shaped.
8. The device according to claim 5, wherein said fastening means
includes rods configured to be inserted into recesses passing
through said support, and said fastening means comprises the rods
inserted into the recesses passing through said cover.
9. The device according to claim 1, wherein said cover is split
into the two portions at a middle of said cover when said cover is
displaced from the closed position into the open position.
10. The device according to claim 1, wherein a first contact end of
a first portion of the two portions of said cover has a V-shape and
a second contact end of a second portion of the two portions of
said cover has a shape complementary to the V-shape such that the
first and second contact ends of said portions are configured to
nest into each other when in the closed position of said cover.
11. The device according to claim 1, wherein a displacement of said
device is performed by an activator comprising a rear gear position
of a vehicle or an activation button.
12. The device according to claim 1, wherein said camera is
transposed from the retracted position to the capture position by a
translational movement configured to allow said camera pass through
a vehicle logo orifice.
13. The device according to claim 1, wherein said cover is
coincident with a vehicle logo and is configured to be split into
two portions in order to enable the camera to switch from the
retracted position into the capture position simultaneously with
said cover being split-up into the two portions.
14. The device according to claim 1, wherein a gasket is interposed
between said device and a vehicle logo, said gasket resting on a
planar surface of a metal sheet belonging to a rear door leaf of
said motor-propelled vehicle.
15. The device according to claim 1, wherein said camera is
configured to be inclined according to a perpendicular axis and
preset according to a transverse axis with respect to the
displacement of said camera via a setting device.
16. The device according to claim 1, wherein said actuator
comprises a motor mounted on an axis, said axis being connected to
a first toothed wheel located at an end opposite to an end
receiving said motor, the motor configured to drive at least one
second toothed wheel, said at least one second toothed wheel
configured to drive an actuation lever, said actuation lever being
connected to said support via a lug disposed on said support and
configured to be inserted into an oblong hole of said actuation
lever, enabling the displacement of said camera from the retracted
position to the capture position and vice versa, said lug further
configured to slide in a recess of a receptacle according to a
direction of the displacement of said camera.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of International
Application No. PCT/EP2019/083350, filed on Dec. 2, 2019, which
claims priority to and the benefit of EP 18213636.6, filed on Dec.
18, 2018. The disclosures of the above applications are
incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD
[0002] The present disclosure relates to a deployment device of a
camera for a motor-propelled vehicle.
BACKGROUND
[0003] The statements in this section merely provide background
information related to the present disclosure and may not
constitute prior art.
[0004] The camera is disposed at the rear of the vehicle, for
example at the level of the rear logo of the vehicle. Its
deployment from a retracted position into a capture position is
performed by an activator, for example the rear gear position of
the vehicle. When in the capture position of the camera, said
camera records the images of the external environment of the
vehicle and transmits them back instantaneously on a screen
disposed on the dashboard so that the driver is alerted on any
danger subsequently to a maneuver of which the driver could not be
aware with the conventional means of a vehicle, for example during
a backward maneuver of the vehicle.
[0005] A deployment device of a camera for a motor-propelled
vehicle is known in the prior art. A dual-purpose device for
opening a latch during the actuation of a handle and, where
necessary, for using a camera for capturing the exterior of the
vehicle is known in EP 2054572. For an optimum implementation of
these two tasks and for a barely bulky formation, it is proposed to
form a hole in the rear wall in a handle receiving support shell to
which the case of a module is fastened. In the case of the module,
the camera is pivotally mounted via a camera support between a
retracted position and an extended position and guided in
translation. On the case of the module, there are also a reader and
a transmission for a rotational translational movement of the
camera.
[0006] Another device for a motor vehicle is known in EP 2524494,
comprising a camera unit able to be brought in a rest position and
an active position, and a protective element, which can be
transferred in a closed position and in an open position, the
camera unit being in the rest position and in an open position, the
camera unit being in the rest position inaccessible from the
outside behind the protective element when the protective element
is in the closed position, and the camera unit is in the active
position for image acquisition when the protective element is in
the open position, and further comprising an arm for displacing the
camera unit and the protective element. The camera unit and the
protective element are movably hinged on each other on said device.
These known devices of the prior art have drawbacks such as a
reduced field of view of the camera because of the protective
element located upstream of the camera. In addition, the camera is
not optimally protected when in its rest position by the pivoting
protective element. Indeed, when the vehicle is not locked, the
pivoting protective element also serves as a handle, thus it is
possible to access to the camera when a person makes the protective
element, serving as a handle, pivot.
SUMMARY
[0007] This section provides a general summary of the disclosure
and is not a comprehensive disclosure of its full scope or all of
its features.
[0008] The present disclosure provides a device for a
motor-propelled vehicle comprising a camera mounted on a support,
said camera being transposable from a retracted position to a
capture position through a cover by an actuator, characterized in
that said cover is able to be displaced in both directions between
a closed position and an open position, simultaneously with the
displacement of said camera, said cover being able to be split into
two portions and by a longitudinal displacement along a first axis
X, perpendicular to a second axis Y, of said portions, said camera
being able to be displaced along said second axis Y transverse with
respect to the displacement of said portions.
[0009] In some forms, the transposition from a retracted position
to a capture position of the camera is performed by means of
levers. Still in one form, the displacement of the cover from the
closed position to the open position is done by means of levers.
This allows transmitting the movement of the camera to the
cover.
[0010] In some forms, the levers are connected to each other via
said support by fastening means, and ideally, the fastening means
consist of rods able to be inserted into recesses passing through
the support. In another variation, the levers are connected to the
cover by fastening means and ideally, the fastening means consist
of rods able to be inserted into recesses passing through the
cover. This allows effectively transmitting the movement of the
camera to the cover.
[0011] In one form, the fastening means are able to be displaced
according to a determined track and ideally, the track is L-shaped.
This shaping enables a translational displacement of the fastening
means.
[0012] In another form, the cover is split into two portions at its
middle when it switches from a closed position into an open
position. This improves the shift of the cover portions.
[0013] In one form, the contact end of one of the portions of the
cover has a V-shape and the other contact end of the other portion
of the cover has a shape complementary to the V-shape such that the
two ends of the portions nest into each other when in the closed
position of said cover. Furthermore, docking of the two portions is
promoted.
[0014] In one form, the displacement of the device is performed by
an activator such as the rear gear position of a vehicle or an
activation button. The advantage being a control from the passenger
compartment of the vehicle.
[0015] In another form, the camera is transposed from the retracted
position to the capture position by a translational movement able
to make the camera pass through a vehicle logo orifice, and still
in another form, the cover is coincident with a vehicle logo and
able to be split into two portions in order to enable the camera to
switch from the retracted position into the capture position
simultaneously with the split-up into two portions.
[0016] In one form, a gasket is interposed between the device and a
vehicle logo, the gasket resting on a planar surface of a metal
sheet belonging to a rear door leaf of the vehicle. This improves
sealing.
[0017] Still in another form, the camera is able to be inclined
according to a vertical axis Y and preset according to a transverse
axis Z with respect to the displacement of the camera via a setting
device. This allows adapting to the different heights of vehicles,
without impacting visibility.
[0018] Still in yet another form, the actuator comprises a motor
mounted on an axis, said axis comprising a first toothed wheel
located at the end opposite to that receiving said motor, able to
drive at least one second toothed wheel, said at least one second
toothed wheel is able to drive an actuation lever, said actuation
lever being connected to the support via a lug disposed on said
support and able to be inserted into an oblong hole of said
actuation lever, enabling the displacement of the camera from a
retracted position to a capture position and vice versa, said lug
being also inserted into a recess of the receptacle according to
the direction of displacement of said camera.
[0019] The longitudinal displacement of the two portions of the
cover during its opening enables the camera to be simultaneously
displaced toward its capture position without reducing its field of
view, the portions of the cover being no longer visible from
outside the vehicle when in their open positions. When in the
closed position of the cover, the latter serves as an antitheft.
This shaping aims at improving the protection of the camera when in
its retracted position.
[0020] Each arrangement of the actuator has its own advantage
depending on the type of vehicle equipped with such a device. Also,
the device may be used for a camera-equipped rear-view mirror type
application.
[0021] Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the
description provided herein. It should be understood that the
description and specific examples are intended for purposes of
illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the
present disclosure.
DRAWINGS
[0022] In order that the disclosure may be well understood, there
will now be described various forms thereof, given by way of
example, reference being made to the accompanying drawings, in
which:
[0023] FIG. 1 represents a perspective top view of a device,
without an actuator, in accordance with the teachings of the
present disclosure;
[0024] FIG. 2a represents a perspective bottom view of the device,
without the actuator, in accordance with the teachings of the
present disclosure;
[0025] FIG. 2b represents a sectional view of a plurality of tracks
of FIG. 2a, without the actuator, in accordance with the teachings
of the present disclosure;
[0026] FIG. 3 represents a sectional view of the device of FIG. 1,
without the actuator, in accordance with the teachings of the
present disclosure;
[0027] FIG. 4 represents a perspective view of a portion of the
device of FIG. 1, in accordance with the teachings of the present
disclosure;
[0028] FIG. 5a is a view of a front face of a portion of the
device, in accordance with the teachings of the present
disclosure;
[0029] FIG. 5b is a view a rear face of the device of FIG. 5a, in
accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure;
[0030] FIG. 6a is a perspective view of a portion of the device
visible from outside the vehicle, in accordance with the teachings
of the present disclosure;
[0031] FIG. 6b is a perspective view of a back of the device of
FIG. 6a, without the actuator, in accordance with the teachings of
the present disclosure;
[0032] FIG. 7 is a view of a camera on its support, in accordance
with the teachings of the present disclosure;
[0033] FIG. 8 is a top view of the device, in accordance with the
teachings of the present disclosure;
[0034] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the device, integrating an
actuator, in accordance with the teachings of the present
disclosure;
[0035] FIG. 10a is a schematic perspective top view of a second
form of the device, in accordance with the teachings of the present
disclosure;
[0036] FIG. 10b is a schematic perspective top view of a third form
of the device, in accordance with the teachings of the present
disclosure;
[0037] FIG. 10c is a schematic perspective top view of a fourth
form of the device, in accordance with the teachings of the present
disclosure;
[0038] FIG. 11 is a top view of the device, when in the retracted
position of the camera, in accordance with the teachings of the
present disclosure; and,
[0039] FIG. 12 is a top view of the device, when in the capture
position of the camera, in accordance with the teachings of the
present disclosure.
[0040] The drawings described herein are for illustration purposes
only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present
disclosure in any way.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0041] The following description is merely exemplary in nature and
is not intended to limit the present disclosure, application, or
uses. It should be understood that throughout the drawings,
corresponding reference numerals indicate like or corresponding
parts and features.
[0042] It should be understood that the description of the
following variations and forms do not in any way limit the scope of
the present disclosure, that is to say that the combinations or the
simple modifications of the forms disclosed hereinafter are also
covered by the scope of the present disclosure.
[0043] FIG. 1 shows the device 1 comprising a camera 2 mounted on a
support 3 in its retracted position. Said camera 2 is also inserted
into a square-shaped secondary support 15 having a central cavity
enabling the insertion of a randomly-shaped, camera 2. In one
example, the randomly-shaped camera 2 may include a cubic shaped
camera. A third support (not represented) is inserted into the
support 3 via a square-shaped recess adapted to receive the third
support. The secondary support 15, which is inserted into the third
support, and the third support, enables an inclination of the
camera 2 before mounting of the device 1. The inclination of the
camera 2 allows adapting its field of view to the vehicle to which
the device 1 is integrated.
[0044] Indeed, depending on the vehicle type, the inclination and
presetting of the camera 2 will not be the same because of the
difference in height of each vehicle and vehicle architecture.
Thus, the inclination and presetting of the camera 2 adapted
according to the vehicle enables the driver to benefit from an
improved field of view of the exterior of the vehicle. Two levers 4
and 5 are connected to the support 3 by fastening means 6a and 6b.
The lever 4 is connected by one of its ends to one of the ends of
the support 3 by the fastening means 6a passing through a recess
thus connecting the two parts 3 and 4. The lever 5 is connected by
one of its ends to the other end of the support 3 by the fastening
means 6b passing through a recess thus connecting the two parts 3
and 5. A cover 7 is split into two portions 7a and 7b. When in the
closed position of the cover, the portions 7a and 7b are
complementary and nest into each other by theirs ends and form one
single portion 7. The lever 4 is connected at the other one of its
ends to the portion 7a of the cover 7 by the fastening means 6c
passing through a recess thus connecting the two parts 4 and 7a and
the lever 5 is connected at the other one of its ends to the
portion 7b of the cover 7 by the fastening means 6d passing through
a recess thus connecting the two parts 5 and 7b.
[0045] These fastening means 6 will be able to be displaced
according to a plurality of determined tracks 10 in the form of
cavities as presented in FIGS. 2a and 2b. Said fastening means 6a
and 6b consist of rods able to be inserted into recesses passing
through said support 3 and said fastening means 6c and 6d consist
of rods able to be inserted into recesses passing through said
cover 7. A gasket 8 made of polyurethane, or of another material
having a sealing function, is inserted between the metal sheet (not
represented) of the vehicle and a receptacle 12 so as to enhance
the sealing and the mechanical strength of the device 1.
[0046] FIG. 2a shows the lower face of the device 1 and the tracks
10 that each fastening means 6 end follows during the activation of
the device 1. The fastening means 6a and 6b respectively follow the
tracks 10a and 10b whereas the fastening means 6c and 6d
respectively follow the tracks 10c and 10d. The tracks 10a and 10b
are respectively perpendicular with respect to the tracks 10c and
10d. The fastening means 6a and 6b abut respectively in the tracks
10a and 10b at their upper end when in the retracted position of
the camera and are displaced during the deployment of the camera to
its capture position until abutting at the lower end of the tracks
10a and 10b. The fastening means 6c and 6d do not abut respectively
on the tracks 10c and 10d when in the retracted position of the
camera as represented in FIG. 2b to keep an angle smaller than
90.degree. between the cover and the levers 4 and 5 in order to
fluidify the opening of the cover during the activation of the
device.
[0047] However, when in the capture position of the camera, the
fastening means 6c and 6d abut respectively away from one another
on the tracks 10c and 10d. Both of the tracks 10a and 10c as well
as the tracks 10b and 10d have an L-shape forming a cavity for
receiving the ends of the appropriate fastening means 6 and guiding
them. It should be understood that the shape of said tracks is an
L-shape in any geometric direction.
[0048] FIG. 2b shows a cross-sectional view of the tracks 10a to
10d. Said tracks forming a cavity in a receptacle 12. Said cavities
receive the fastening means 6 enabling the displacement of the
camera 2 and of the cover 7 via the levers 4 and 5 not represented
in this figure. In more details, one of the ends of the fastening
means 6a and 6b is imbricated respectively into the tracks 10a and
10b and one of the ends of the fastening means 6c and 6d is
imbricated respectively into the tracks 10c and 10d. The fastening
means 6a and 6b are displaced respectively in the cavities of the
tracks 10a and 10b according to a translational movement, parallel
to the movement of the camera 2 and the fastening means 6c and 6d
are displaced respectively in the cavities of the tracks 10c and
10d according to a translational movement, perpendicular to the
movement of the camera 2 and parallel to the movement of the cover
7. The cavities have a specific depth enabling insertion of the
ends of the fastening means as well as a width sufficient for
receiving the ends of the fastening means having a determined size
while tolerating the displacement of the ends of the fastening
means in these cavities.
[0049] It should be noted that there is a symmetry with respect to
the longitudinal plane and to the transverse plane of each L-shaped
track.
[0050] FIG. 3 shows a section of the device 1 in which are
represented a camera 2 mounted on its support 3, the levers 4 and 5
as well as the cover 7 and the fastening means 6a to 6d. During the
activation of the device 1, the camera 2 is displaced from a
retracted position to a capture position simultaneously with the
cover 7 from a closed position to an open position. The
translational displacement of the fastening means 6a and 6b along
the tracks 10a and 10b causes the transposition of the camera 2
according to the Y axis whereas simultaneously, the fastening means
6c and 6d are displaced in translation along the tracks 10c and 10d
causing the longitudinal displacement of the portions 7a and 7b of
the cover 7 and therefore the opening of the cover 7 according to
the X axis. The camera 2 in the capture position, passes through
the opening created by the cover as well as the gasket 8 made of
polyurethane, or of another material having a sealing function, the
metal sheet 13 of the vehicle and the logo 9 in order to capture
the images located outside of the vehicle.
[0051] During the retraction of the camera 2 into its retracted
position according to the Z axis, the fastening means 6a and 6b
return into their initial position as represented in FIG. 3 by
following the same tracks 10a and 10b whereas, simultaneously, the
fastening means 6c and 6d also return into their initial position
as represented in this same figure by following the same tracks 10c
and 10d thus causing the displacement into the closed position of
the portions 7a and 7b of the cover 7 according to the X axis.
[0052] When in the inactive position of the device 1, the portions
7a and 7b form a single cover 7 such that the closed position has a
function 11 of antitheft and of protection of the camera 2 against
elements such as dust, water or ice thanks to the complementarity
of the ends of the portions 7a and 7b. In one variant of the
present disclosure, the device 1 is located at the rear of the
vehicle and more particularly at the center of the logo 9 of said
vehicle, such that the cover 7 opens at the level of the center of
said logo 9 and therefore the camera 2 is transposed from its
retracted position to its capture position by a translational
movement able to make said camera 2 pass through an orifice of said
vehicle logo 9.
[0053] In another variant of the present disclosure, said logo 9 is
coincident with the cover 7 and able to be split into two portions
in order to enable the camera 2 to switch from the retracted
position into the capture position simultaneously with the split-up
into two portions.
[0054] FIG. 4 shows a portion of the device 1 in which there is
represented the support 3 receiving the camera (not represented)
via the secondary support (not represented), and the third support
(not represented), the cover 7 as well as the levers 4 and 5
connecting the support 3 and the cover 7 using fastening means
6.
[0055] The device 1 being in its retracted position, the cover 7 is
in the closed position and the portion of the device 1 is
trapezoid-shaped. The square-shaped recess of the support 3 allows
imbricating the third support using fastening supports 14 located
on either side on the internal faces of the vertical branches of
the support 3. The recess, allowing imbricating the third support,
which in turn supports the camera 2 and the secondary support 15,
is centered on the cover 7, by the trapezoid-shape of this portion
of the device 1, which induces a transposition of the camera 2 at
the middle of the cover 7 during its opening by the split-up of the
portions 7a and 7b of said cover 7.
[0056] The levers 4 and 5 have a cross-like shape, whose portions
connected to the support 3 and to each portion 7a and 7b of the
cover 7 have a recess receiving the fastening means 6 and having a
length longer than the other portions of said levers 4 and 5.
[0057] FIG. 5a shows the cover 7 as well as the gasket 8 made of
polyurethane, or of another material having a sealing function, and
the logo 9 of the device 1 may be a square, a circle, a triangle, a
rectangle, a lozenge, etc. . . . . Opening of the cover 7 by the
split-up of the portions 7a and 7b is performed at its middle as
illustrated in this figure. The gasket 8 made of polyurethane, or
of another material having a sealing function, is fastened between
the metal sheet (not represented) and the receptacle 12. This
gasket 8 is disposed around said logo 9. The orifice of the logo 9
of the vehicle is centered on the middle of the cover 7 so as to
let the camera pass during the activation of the device 1 by
opening of the cover 7 and through the orifice of the receptacle
12, the metal sheet 13 and the logo 9 because, as explained in FIG.
4, the camera is centered on the cover 7.
[0058] FIG. 5b shows a back view of FIG. 5a. The third support of
the camera is imbricated into the support 3 and centered on the
cover 7 as well as the orifice of the logo 9. The portion of the
device 1 illustrated in FIG. 4 does not extend beyond the gasket 8
when in the retracted position of the camera.
[0059] FIG. 6a shows the portion of the device 1 visible from
outside the vehicle. The metal sheet 13 of the door leaf such as
for example the trunk or a hatchback of a vehicle is followed by a
gasket 8 made of polyurethane, or of another material having a
sealing function and then by the logo 9, the gasket 8 protecting
the device 1 by enhanced sealing and mechanical strength which
could be altered between the metal sheet 13 and the logo 9 of the
vehicle in case of absence of said gasket 8. When in the capture
position of the camera, the camera passes, by transposition,
through the cover 7 during its opening as well as the orifice of
the logo 9 so as to obtain an optimum field of view of the external
environment of the vehicle in one variation.
[0060] FIG. 6b shows a back view of the device of FIG. 6a. A
receptacle 12 comprising the device 1 is fastened to the metal
sheet 13 of the vehicle. The receptacle 12 aims at protecting the
device 1 and also at forming the tracks 10 by the formation of
cavities in this receptacle 12 aiming at receiving the fastening
means 6. In this figure, only the tracks of the upper face of the
receptacle 12 are shown, it should be understood that the same
tracks are present on the lower face of said receptacle 12 that is
to say that there is a symmetry with respect to the longitudinal
plane and to the transverse plane of each L-shaped track. The
receptacle 12 extends beyond the gasket made of polyurethane, or of
another material having a sealing function, for receiving the
portions of the cover when in its open position. Hence, the
receptacle 12 has the shape of the parts assembled inside this
receptacle 12, thus allowing limiting the space covered by the
device inside the vehicle.
[0061] FIG. 7 shows the camera 2 mounted on its secondary support
15, which in turn is mounted on the third support, which is mounted
on the support 3. On the support 3 there is present a device 17 for
setting the inclination of the camera 2 according to a
perpendicular axis (X) with respect to the axis of displacement of
the camera 2 from its retracted position to its capture position.
The camera 2 may be pre-inclined with an angle of inclination
determined according to the type of vehicle equipped with the
device 1 of the present disclosure. Indeed, the third support
enables to move the camera 2 according to a transverse axis (Z) and
the second support 15 enables to move the camera 2 according to a
vertical axis (Y). The support 15 can also rotate around (X) axis.
Setting of the inclination of the camera 2 is performed before the
final mounting of the camera 2 in the device 1. Indeed, a setting
lug 23 is disposed on the secondary support 15 and extending
through a lateral branch of the support 3 in order to manually set
the inclination of the camera 2. The setting lug 23 can be
displaced according to a transverse axis (Z) parallel to the
direction of displacement of the camera 2 from its rest position to
its capture position by a recess created through the lateral branch
of the support 3. It is also possible to motorize the setting of
the camera for more flexibility of the user from the passenger
compartment of the vehicle.
[0062] FIG. 8 shows a schematic upper view of the device 1 when the
camera 2 is in the capture position. In this figure, there can be
seen a motor 19 connected by an axis 25 to a first toothed wheel 20
(the teeth are not represented) which, in turn, is in contact with
a second toothed wheel 21a (the teeth are not represented) which
supports an actuation lever 22a. The actuation lever 22a is
connected to the support 3 via a lug 23a disposed above the support
3 and which can be inserted into an oblong hole 24a disposed at the
level of the end opposite to the end connected to the second
toothed wheel 21a. In this figure, the lug 23a is disposed above
the support 3 at its middle. A lug 23b is also located on the face
opposite to that represented in this figure, that is to say on the
bottom of the support 3.
[0063] Indeed, the actuation levers of the camera 2 are symmetrical
with respect to a plane parallel to that which cuts in two halves
the rod supporting the toothed wheels 21a and 21b, and
perpendicular to said rod. The actuator 18 has the same second
toothed wheel 21b at the side opposite to the second toothed wheel
21a in contact with the first toothed wheel 20 and therefore
another actuation lever 22b is connected in the same manner to the
second toothed wheel 21b which is at the opposite of the second
toothed wheel 21a in contact with the first toothed wheel 20. This
other actuation lever 22b is connected in the same manner to the
support 3 but this time via a lug 23b located below the support
3.
[0064] The receptacle 12 has two recesses able to receive each
corresponding lug 23a, 23b of the support 3, so as to displace the
camera 2 from the retracted position to the capture position and
vice versa, when the actuator 18 is activated. These two recesses
are disposed according to an axis parallel to the axis of
displacement of the camera 2.
[0065] FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of the device 1 in the same
state as in FIG. 8. There can be seen a motor 19 connected to a
first toothed wheel 20 via an axis 25. This figure aims at showing
the symmetry of the actuator 18. Indeed, there can be seen the two
second toothed wheels 21a and 21b each connected to an actuation
lever 22a, 22b. Each actuation lever 22a, 22b has an oblong hole,
respectively 24a, 24b where a corresponding lug 23a, 23b is
inserted into its corresponding oblong hole 24a, 24b.
[0066] The actuator 18 is inserted into a submodule (not
represented) fastened on the receptacle 12.
[0067] FIG. 10a is a schematic view of another form of the present
disclosure in which the contact surfaces of the ends of the
portions 7a and 7b of the cover 7 are parallel and join each other
on the same plane.
[0068] In this form, there are no levers 4 and 5. The camera 2,
being displaced according to the Z axis during the actuation of the
device 1, pushes the two portions 7a and 7b of the cover 7 in order
to engage the opening of said portions 7a and 7b of said cover 7.
The displacement of the portions 7a and 7b of the cover 7 by the
camera 2 is possible by the shaping of the cover 7. Indeed, the
funnel shaping, where the opening of the funnel starts at the upper
portion of the cover 7 at the level of the axis of displacement of
the camera 2, thus enables the camera 2, during its displacement
from the retracted position to the capture position, to come into
contact with the walls of the funnel and thus push the portions 7a
and 7b of the cover 7 toward their opening position.
[0069] During the displacement from the capture position to the
retracted position of the camera 2, the resilient means 26 disposed
in the portions 7a and 7b of the cover 7 enable the displacement
from the open position to the closed position of the portions 7a
and 7b of the cover 7 by their biasing function. Indeed, when in
the open position of the portions 7a and 7b of the cover 7, the
resilient means 26 are compressed against the internal portion of
the receptacle 12. Thus, during the displacement of the camera 2 in
its retracted position, the resilient means 26 are released until
recovering their initial rest position and therefore the cover 7
returns to the closed position.
[0070] FIG. 10b is another form of the present disclosure in which
a difference with the previous variation lies in that one of the
portions of the cover 7 has its contact end V-shaped and the other
portion of the cover 7 has its contact end with a shape
complementary to the V-shape of the end of the other portion of the
cover 7. Thus, the two ends of the portions 7a and 7b nest into
each other when in the closed position of the cover 7. This shaping
aims at improving the protection of the camera 2 when in its
retracted position by the antitheft and protective function against
elements such as dust, water or ice provided by this shaping. In
this form, the levers 4 and 5 are present. The device 1 is actuated
in the same manner as that presented in FIG. 10a. One of the
portions of the cover 7 may also have its contact end in another
shape, such as an L-shape or a U-shape.
[0071] FIG. 10c is another form of the present disclosure in which
the support 3 of the camera 2 is no longer indirectly connected to
the cover 7 via the levers 4 and 5 but is directly connected by a
vertical extension of the ends of the support 3 to the cover 7 by
two tracks 16a and 16b inclined toward the opening point of the
cover 7. The first track 16a connects an end of the support 3 to
the portion 7a of the cover 7 by a fastening means 6a and the
second track 16b connects the other end of the support 3 to the
portion 7b of the cover 7 by a fastening means 6b. The device is
actuated in the same manner as that presented in FIG. 10a. During
the actuation of the device 1, each of the ends of the fastening
means 6a and 6b follows its track 16a and 16b, thereby
simultaneously enabling the displacement of the camera 2 from the
retracted position to the capture position and the displacement of
the cover 7 from the closed position to the open position.
[0072] During the return of the camera 2 from the capture position
back to the retracted position, the fastening means 6a and 6b
return in their initial position as represented in this figure by
the tracks 16a and 16b, thus causing the closure of the cover
7.
[0073] In the next paragraphs, the operation of the actuator 18 is
detailed using FIGS. 11 and 12. When the motor 19 is activated, for
example during the activation of the reverse gear of a motor
vehicle, the motor 19 makes the first toothed wheel 20 (the teeth
are not represented) turn in the clockwise direction via an axis
25. Then, the first toothed wheel 20, in movement and in contact
with a second toothed wheel 21a (the teeth are not represented),
drives this second toothed wheel 21a in movement in the
counterclockwise direction, which also drives the other second
toothed wheel 21b in a same movement. Hence, each second toothed
wheel 21a and 21b drives each corresponding actuation lever 22a,
22b in a rotary movement along the track of each recess provided in
the receptacle 12 able to receive the corresponding lug 23a, 23b
disposed on the support 3 which, in turn, can be inserted into each
oblong hole 24a, 24b of each corresponding actuation lever 22a,
22b. When in the retracted position of the camera 2, each lug 23a,
23b is disposed in each oblong hole 24a, 24b at the level the
closest to the corresponding second toothed wheel 21a, 21b as
represented in FIG. 11.
[0074] Each lug 23a, 23b is also located in each corresponding
recess of the receptacle 12 at the level opposite to the cover 7 as
represented in FIG. 11. During the displacement of the camera 2 up
to its capture position, each lug 23a, 23b is simultaneously
displaced through each corresponding oblong hole 24a, 24b but also
through each corresponding recess of the receptacle 12 until
simultaneously abutting against the oblong hole 24a, 24b and
against the corresponding recess as represented in FIG. 12.
[0075] During the displacement of the camera 2 from its capture
position back to its retracted position, each lug 23a, 23b returns
in its initial position as represented in FIG. 10, by the
counterclockwise movement of the first toothed wheel 20 and the
clockwise movement of the two second toothed wheels 21a and
21b.
[0076] In some forms of the present disclosure including the levers
4 and 5, these levers 4 and 5 are set in movement by the actuator
18 according to a rotary movement.
[0077] Of course, the directions of rotation may be reversed.
[0078] Unless otherwise expressly indicated herein, all numerical
values indicating mechanical/thermal properties, compositional
percentages, dimensions and/or tolerances, or other characteristics
are to be understood as modified by the word "about" or
"approximately" in describing the scope of the present disclosure.
This modification is desired for various reasons including
industrial practice, material, manufacturing, and assembly
tolerances, and testing capability.
[0079] As used herein, the phrase at least one of A, B, and C
should be construed to mean a logical (A OR B OR C), using a
non-exclusive logical OR, and should not be construed to mean "at
least one of A, at least one of B, and at least one of C."
[0080] The description of the disclosure is merely exemplary in
nature and, thus, variations that do not depart from the substance
of the disclosure are intended to be within the scope of the
disclosure. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure
from the spirit and scope of the disclosure.
* * * * *